For CBSE-affiliated schools, Principals, Examination In-charges, teachers, students and parents. This guide is based on the latest CBSE LOC circulars and related official instructions available at the time of publication.
CBSE LOC 2026–27 Complete Guide: Class 10 & 12 List of Candidates, Dates, Fees, APAAR, Data Verification, Corrections and School Checklist
CBSE LOC 2026–27 is one of the most important examination-related processes for schools preparing students for the 2027 Board Examinations. The List of Candidates (LOC) is not simply a routine online form. It is the process through which the school submits the final candidate and subject information to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for the main examinations.
For Principals and Examination Departments, the most important message is simple: do not treat LOC as a data-entry exercise. It should be treated as a structured verification exercise involving the school office, examination department, class teachers, subject teachers, students and parents.
CBSE published the detailed notification for submission of the LOC for the Class X and Class XII Main Examinations 2026–27 on 21 September 2026. The official CBSE examination circular page also lists a separate notice dated 23 September 2026 dealing with streamlining corrections in demographic details. citeturn1search1turn1search0
Watch the CBSE LOC Session
The following is the CBSE session link supplied for this guide. Schools should watch the complete session alongside the official circular and user instructions.
Important: The video is an official/session resource supplied for reference. This article should not be treated as a transcript of the video. Where the video and a later written CBSE circular differ, the latest written CBSE instruction should be followed.
Official CBSE LOC 2026–27: What Has Been Announced?
CBSE has issued the notification for submission of the List of Candidates for Class X and Class XII Main Examinations 2026–27. The official CBSE examination-circular page lists the notification dated 21 September 2026. citeturn1search1
The LOC process covers the candidates who are being presented by affiliated schools for the relevant main board examinations. Schools must therefore ensure that the information submitted to CBSE corresponds with their authenticated school records and the student’s actual academic status.
CBSE LOC 2026–27 Important Dates
| Activity | Date | What Schools Should Do |
|---|---|---|
| LOC submission without late fee | 24 September 2026 to 21 October 2026 | Complete submission, verification and payment within the normal window. |
| LOC submission with late fee | 22 October 2026 to 30 October 2026 | Use only when necessary; applicable late fee is added. |
| Challan generation – normal window | Up to 17 October 2026 | Schools choosing the applicable challan route should plan payment well before the closing date. |
| Challan generation – late-fee window | 22 October to 26 October 2026 | Do not leave challan generation until the final day without a contingency plan. |
| Data verification/correction window | 2 November to 4 November 2026 | Use the available correction facility to identify and rectify permitted errors. |
The current published schedule reports the normal LOC window as 24 September–21 October 2026, followed by the late-fee period from 22–30 October 2026. The reported correction/data-verification window is 2–4 November 2026. citeturn5search1turn5search7
Why LOC Is So Important
The LOC establishes the candidate information on which subsequent examination processes depend. A mistake in the LOC can therefore become much more difficult to correct later.
Schools should pay particular attention to:
- Candidate name
- Mother’s name
- Father’s/Guardian’s name, as applicable
- Date of birth
- Gender and other demographic information
- Photograph and other required candidate information
- Subject combination
- Subject codes
- Additional subjects, where applicable
- Practical subjects for Class XII
- Candidate category/status
- Eligibility and school records
- APAAR-related information, where applicable
- School and examination information
CBSE has specifically issued a separate September 2026 notice on streamlining corrections in demographic details, reinforcing the importance of getting candidate data right. citeturn2view0
What Does LOC Mean in CBSE?
LOC means List of Candidates. It is the online submission through which an affiliated school provides CBSE with the details of candidates who are being presented for the board examination.
It should not be confused with the earlier registration of students in Classes IX and XI. Registration establishes the student’s academic/examination record at an earlier stage, whereas LOC is connected with the candidates being presented for the board examination.
CBSE LOC 2026–27 for Class 10
For Class X schools, LOC is particularly important because the examination structure has changed from the traditional single-board-examination model. CBSE’s examination system from 2026 includes two board examination opportunities for Class X. The first examination is the main mandatory examination, while the second examination operates under the applicable CBSE rules and eligibility provisions.
Schools should therefore be extremely careful while entering the subjects in the first LOC. The subject information submitted at this stage becomes important for the subsequent examination process. Current guidance on the 2026–27 LOC indicates that the second Class X examination has a separate LOC process after the first examination/result process. citeturn5search11turn5search3
Class 10 School Checklist
- Confirm every Class 10 student’s eligibility.
- Verify the subject combination against the student’s approved school subject record.
- Check subject codes rather than relying only on subject names.
- Verify the student’s name letter-by-letter.
- Verify date of birth against the authenticated school record.
- Verify parents’ names.
- Check the photograph and required demographic information.
- Check additional subjects, if any.
- Identify CWSN students and ensure applicable facilities are correctly recorded/processed.
- Ensure students and parents have an opportunity to verify their information.
- Keep documentary evidence of the verification exercise.
CBSE LOC 2026–27 for Class 12
For Class XII, subject combinations require particularly careful verification because students may have combinations involving languages, academic electives, skill subjects, practical subjects and additional subjects.
The school should not assume that the subject a student is currently attending is automatically the subject that should be submitted. The examination department should compare the student’s approved subject combination, school records, registration information and current academic status before finalising the LOC.
Class 12 School Checklist
- Verify the complete subject combination.
- Verify all subject codes.
- Check whether a subject has a practical component.
- Check additional subject entries.
- Verify language subjects carefully.
- Confirm the student’s eligibility.
- Check demographic details.
- Verify photograph and other required candidate data.
- Check APAAR information where entered.
- Cross-check the LOC against the school’s Class XII master database.
CBSE LOC Fee Structure 2026–27
For students in India, the published fee information for the 2026–27 LOC includes a normal examination fee of ₹1,600 for five subjects, with an additional-subject fee of ₹320 per subject. For Class XII, the practical examination fee is reported as ₹160 per practical subject. The late fee is ₹2,000 per candidate in addition to the applicable normal fee during the late-submission window. citeturn5search1turn5search8
| Fee component | India – 2026–27 |
|---|---|
| Five subjects | ₹1,600 |
| Additional subject | ₹320 per subject |
| Class XII practical subject | ₹160 per practical subject |
| Late fee | ₹2,000 per candidate in addition to applicable normal fee |
Note: Fee categories can differ for schools/candidates outside India and for special categories. Schools should use the fee table in the latest CBSE notification applicable to their school rather than relying on a third-party summary.
APAAR ID and CBSE LOC 2026–27
APAAR has been an important part of CBSE’s student-data architecture. For the 2026–27 LOC, schools should follow the exact field-level instructions in the current LOC system rather than relying on older 2025–26 instructions.
Current information based on the detailed 2026–27 LOC circular indicates that APAAR ID is optional in this year’s LOC. Where a school enters an APAAR ID, the ID should be valid and the candidate’s name should match the name associated with the ID; the applicable consent requirement should also be followed. citeturn5search2turn5search3
This is an area where schools should avoid carrying forward last year’s assumptions. A Principal or Examination In-charge should open the current year’s LOC instructions and verify the exact field and system behaviour before final submission.
Demographic Details: The Most Important Verification Exercise
CBSE issued a separate notice on 23 September 2026 titled “Streamlining the process of corrections in the demographic details”. This is especially important because demographic information can later appear on examination documents and academic records. citeturn2view0
Recommended School Verification Sheet
| Field | Verified? | Who Should Verify? |
|---|---|---|
| Student full name | ☐ | Student + Parent + School |
| Mother’s name | ☐ | Parent + School |
| Father/Guardian name | ☐ | Parent + School |
| Date of birth | ☐ | School record + Parent |
| Gender | ☐ | Student + School |
| Subject combination | ☐ | Student + Subject Department + Exam Department |
| Subject codes | ☐ | Exam Department |
| Additional subject | ☐ | Exam Department |
| Photograph | ☐ | School |
| APAAR, if entered | ☐ | School + Student/Parent |
| CWSN information, where applicable | ☐ | School/CWSN Coordinator |
Subject Selection: Where Schools Need Maximum Caution
One of the most common operational problems during LOC is treating subject selection as a simple clerical entry.
For every candidate, the Examination Department should compare:
- Student’s registered subjects.
- School’s approved subject combination.
- Subjects actually being taught.
- Subject code.
- Practical/project/internal-assessment requirements.
- Any approved subject change documentation.
- Applicable CBSE eligibility requirements.
Do not use a teacher’s informal subject list as the final authority. The examination department should work from the school’s authenticated master data and the applicable CBSE rules.
OASIS and HPE: Prepare Before Finalisation
Schools should also ensure that the relevant school-level information and required portals are up to date before finalising the LOC. Current reporting on the 2026–27 process notes that existing schools need to update their information on OASIS and HPE, while newly affiliated schools have additional registration/updation requirements. citeturn5search7
Therefore, the Principal should not wait until the final LOC submission day to discover that another school-information module is incomplete.
Practical Examination Information for Class 12
For Class XII candidates, schools should identify all subjects carrying practical examinations and ensure that the candidate’s subject selection and practical requirements are correctly reflected.
The school should maintain a separate Class XII practical-subject master list so that the examination fee, subject code and later practical-examination arrangements can be cross-checked against the LOC.
CWSN Students: Do Not Leave It Until the End
Students with disabilities or special educational requirements should be identified early. The examination department should verify the applicable concessions/facilities and ensure that the school has the required documentation and system entries.
The key principle is: the school should not wait until the board examination to discover that a facility was never properly recorded or requested.
Photograph and Student Identity Information
Photograph-related errors can create unnecessary complications. Schools should establish a single verification workflow rather than asking students to repeatedly submit photographs through different channels.
The Examination In-charge should ensure that the photograph submitted through the official system satisfies the applicable current requirements and belongs to the correct candidate.
What Principals Should Do Immediately
- Download and read the latest CBSE LOC circular.
- Assign one responsible LOC coordinator.
- Create Class X and Class XII master lists.
- Freeze the school-level subject list before data entry.
- Verify student names and dates of birth.
- Verify parents’ names.
- Verify subject codes.
- Check additional subjects.
- Check practical subjects for Class XII.
- Check CWSN requirements.
- Check APAAR fields according to the current year’s instructions.
- Verify OASIS/HPE requirements.
- Send a student/parent verification sheet.
- Obtain confirmation of subject choices.
- Enter data in the official system.
- Generate and verify the data before finalisation.
- Complete fee payment.
- Save payment proof.
- Save final LOC records.
- Maintain a school-level audit file.
Recommended Internal LOC Workflow for a CBSE School
Stage 1 – Examination Department
Create the master database and compare it with the current student records.
Stage 2 – Class Teacher Verification
Class teachers verify student identity details against the school’s records and flag discrepancies.
Stage 3 – Subject Teacher/Department Verification
Subject departments verify subject allocation and subject-code accuracy, particularly for Class XII.
Stage 4 – Parent/Student Verification
Provide the student/parent with a printed or digital verification sheet and collect acknowledgement.
Stage 5 – Principal’s Review
The Principal or authorised examination head reviews exceptions, unresolved discrepancies and subject changes.
Stage 6 – Online Submission
Enter and submit the information through the prescribed CBSE process.
Stage 7 – Payment
Complete the applicable fee payment and preserve the receipt/transaction details.
Stage 8 – Final Record
Save the final submitted data, confirmation, payment proof and school verification documents.
CBSE LOC Audit File: What Should the School Keep?
For internal accountability, schools should maintain an LOC audit folder containing:
- Latest CBSE LOC circular
- LOC instructions/user manual
- Class X master list
- Class XII master list
- Subject-code list
- Student verification forms
- Parent acknowledgements, where used
- Approved subject-change records
- CWSN documentation, where applicable
- APAAR verification records, where applicable
- Final LOC submission confirmation
- Fee payment receipt
- Correction-window records
- Any communication with CBSE relating to LOC
Common CBSE LOC Mistakes Schools Should Avoid
1. Entering the student’s name from memory
Always compare against the authenticated school record.
2. Using a subject name instead of checking the subject code
Two subjects may appear similar while having different codes and examination requirements.
3. Assuming the current timetable is the LOC
The timetable is not the authoritative examination record. Verify the approved subject combination.
4. Waiting until the last day
Technical problems, payment issues and data discrepancies become much harder to manage when the school has no time buffer.
5. Treating APAAR as an old-year copy-paste field
Follow the current year’s exact instructions.
6. Not giving students an opportunity to verify
A simple student verification exercise can identify many spelling and subject errors before submission.
7. Not keeping evidence
Schools should retain confirmation and verification records.
8. Assuming the correction window means every error can always be changed
The school should not deliberately submit inaccurate data on the assumption that everything can be repaired later. Correction facilities have their own rules and limitations.
Principal’s One-Page LOC Checklist
| Check | Status |
|---|---|
| Latest CBSE circular downloaded | ☐ |
| LOC coordinator appointed | ☐ |
| Class X list verified | ☐ |
| Class XII list verified | ☐ |
| Student names verified | ☐ |
| Parents’ names verified | ☐ |
| Date of birth verified | ☐ |
| Subjects verified | ☐ |
| Subject codes verified | ☐ |
| Additional subjects checked | ☐ |
| Practical subjects checked | ☐ |
| CWSN requirements checked | ☐ |
| APAAR information checked where entered | ☐ |
| OASIS/HPE status checked | ☐ |
| Student/parent verification completed | ☐ |
| LOC submitted | ☐ |
| Fee paid | ☐ |
| Payment proof saved | ☐ |
| Final LOC record saved | ☐ |
Frequently Asked Questions – CBSE LOC 2026–27
When does CBSE LOC 2026–27 start?
The normal submission window starts on 24 September 2026. citeturn5search1
What is the last date for CBSE LOC 2026–27 without late fee?
The normal-fee deadline is 21 October 2026. citeturn5search1
What is the CBSE LOC late-fee period?
The published schedule gives the late-fee submission period as 22 October to 30 October 2026. citeturn5search1
How much is the CBSE LOC late fee?
The late fee is reported as ₹2,000 per candidate in addition to the applicable examination fee. citeturn5search1turn5search8
What is the CBSE LOC fee for five subjects?
For students in India, the normal fee for five subjects is ₹1,600. citeturn5search1turn5search8
What is the additional subject fee?
The published 2026–27 fee is ₹320 per additional subject for students in India. citeturn5search1
What is the Class 12 practical fee?
The published fee is ₹160 per practical subject for students in India. citeturn5search1
Is APAAR compulsory for CBSE LOC 2026–27?
Current information based on the detailed 2026–27 LOC circular indicates that APAAR ID is optional in this LOC. If an APAAR ID is entered, the applicable validation, name matching and consent requirements must be followed. citeturn5search2turn5search3
Can students appear for CBSE Board Exams without being included in LOC?
The LOC is the school’s formal submission of candidates for the board examination. Schools should therefore ensure that all eligible candidates who are being presented for the examination are correctly included and finalised.
Can subject mistakes be corrected after LOC?
CBSE provides a defined data verification/correction process. Schools should use the correction facility within the prescribed window and should not assume that every change will be permitted after finalisation. citeturn5search7
What should a Principal verify before final LOC submission?
The Principal should ensure that candidate eligibility, demographic details, subject combinations, subject codes, practical subjects, applicable special provisions, school information, payment and finalisation have all been checked.
Should schools allow parents to verify LOC data?
It is strongly advisable as an internal quality-control measure. It gives the school an additional opportunity to identify spelling, date-of-birth, parent-name and subject discrepancies before final submission.
Should schools keep a copy of the final LOC?
Yes. Schools should maintain their final submission record and payment confirmation as part of their examination documentation.
Official CBSE Resources
CBSE Examination Circulars: The official CBSE examination-circular page lists the 21 September 2026 LOC notification and the 23 September 2026 demographic-correction notice. citeturn1search1
CBSE Official Website: Schools should use the official CBSE website for the latest notifications rather than relying exclusively on social-media posts or third-party summaries. citeturn1search0
Final Advice to Principals and Examination In-charges
LOC should be treated as a school-wide verification project, not a task that is left entirely to one computer operator.
The most effective workflow is:
School records → Class teacher verification → Subject verification → Student/parent verification → Examination Department review → Principal approval → Online LOC submission → Fee payment → Final record → Correction-window review.
If a school follows this workflow systematically, the probability of avoidable demographic and subject-entry errors can be reduced significantly.
Bookmark this page and return to it whenever CBSE publishes a reminder, correction notice, revised instruction or additional LOC-related clarification for the 2026–27 session.
Disclaimer: This TeachGyan guide is an educational and administrative reference prepared from CBSE’s published information and related current guidance. It is not a substitute for the latest official CBSE circular, portal instructions or communication issued to the school. In case of any conflict, the latest official CBSE instruction should prevail.
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Watch the CBSE LOC 2026–27 Session: Open the CBSE LOC session on YouTube